The facility targets high-growth categories, including ready-to-drink (RTD) and ready-to-mix (RTM) beverages, protein bars and functional snacks
FrieslandCampina Ingredients, a global leader in proteins and prebiotics, has opened a new state-of-the-art application center in New Jersey, U.S., to accelerate regional product innovation. The facility marks a significant step forward in the company’s technical capabilities across North America, bringing advanced R&D resources closer to customers and reinforcing its commitment to regional innovation, enabling faster creation of specialized solutions to meet evolving consumer demand.
The opening is part of the company’s broader strategy to strengthen its global application capabilities through a network of five new regional centers worldwide, including a new application center in Singapore, which opened last year. Located within its North America sales office, this newest application center is an extension of FrieslandCampina’s Global Innovation Center in Wageningen, Netherlands, which serves as the company’s central hub for research and innovation.
Built for a high-demand market
Demand for high-protein products continues to grow across North America; 40% of U.S. consumers say high-protein claims are a key purchase driver when dining out or buying groceries.[1] This trend is mirrored in consumers’ daily habits, with 8 in 10 Americans prioritizing protein during at least one meal or snack break, daily.[2] As expectations rise, demand is growing for products that deliver protein benefits without compromising taste, texture and functionality.
FrieslandCampina Ingredients’ New Jersey application center is purpose-built to meet this demand. Designed with collaboration at its core, the facility enables on-site product refinement, with hands-on development and troubleshooting that streamline development timelines, reduce trial-and-error and accelerate time to market.
Key equipment, including a homogenizer and food-grade autoclave, support the creation and testing of stable, high-quality formulations under real-world processing conditions. Combined with enhanced analytical tools, innovators can assess product performance with greater precision, ensuring that what works in the application center translates into success on shelves.
“This application center is more than a new facility; it is a strategic investment in how we support our customers in North America,” says Auke Zeilstra, Regional Sales Director of FrieslandCampina Ingredients North America. “With our enhanced innovation capabilities, we’ve now got the ability to work even closer with customers to solve formulation challenges and bring products to life, faster. This investment — coupled with recent acquisitions in the region — strengthens both our on-the-ground application support and ingredient supply capabilities. And with this, we can respond even more quickly to evolving consumer trends, helping customers turn ideas into products that are ready to succeed.”
To learn more about FrieslandCampina Ingredients’ capabilities and expertise, visit here.
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